With the past scenarios occurring as they did, one may now ask what patterns would be seen in future, in terms of what method will be (or should be) undertaken to ensure (or at least increase the chance of) a safer country (whichever that may be) when faced with an earthquake. In other words, people may ask what may be done in future to handle earthquakes.
One such example originates from Japan, which as one might have noticed by now, has the honour of leading the world in earthquake preparation and tolerance (Foster, 2011). This example is of the technological type, and looks at how damage can be minimised, and serves as a very good starting point for future ideas.
Shoichi Sakamoto, an inventor for Japanese company, ‘Air Danshin’ has perhaps designed what could be a very important piece of technology in the effort to minimise earthquake damage on minor structures (such as family homes). As one would know, earthquakes cause their damage from below, and often, the foundations of a building are the first to be damaged, which may lead to further damages. To combat this, Sakamoto has designed a concrete base on which a house lies, but what makes it unique is the fact that between the base and the house, lies a deflated airbag. This airbag is equipped with sensors which when triggered; inflate the airbag within seconds, lifting the structure approximately 3cm above the ground. This enables the structure to avoid the damage, while the airbag absorbs the shockwaves. One the earthquake has ceased, the airbag deflates once again (Abrams, 2012).
One such example originates from Japan, which as one might have noticed by now, has the honour of leading the world in earthquake preparation and tolerance (Foster, 2011). This example is of the technological type, and looks at how damage can be minimised, and serves as a very good starting point for future ideas.
Shoichi Sakamoto, an inventor for Japanese company, ‘Air Danshin’ has perhaps designed what could be a very important piece of technology in the effort to minimise earthquake damage on minor structures (such as family homes). As one would know, earthquakes cause their damage from below, and often, the foundations of a building are the first to be damaged, which may lead to further damages. To combat this, Sakamoto has designed a concrete base on which a house lies, but what makes it unique is the fact that between the base and the house, lies a deflated airbag. This airbag is equipped with sensors which when triggered; inflate the airbag within seconds, lifting the structure approximately 3cm above the ground. This enables the structure to avoid the damage, while the airbag absorbs the shockwaves. One the earthquake has ceased, the airbag deflates once again (Abrams, 2012).
Left: Air Danshin's design for the event of an earthquake Right: The structure levitates to a height of 3cm when the sensor is activated
(Both available at: https://www.asme.org/engineering-topics/articles/construction-and-building/made-in-japan-earthquake-proof-homes)
This design was actually tested on a machine which simulates minor earthquakes, and the structure above had occupants as well as beverages (in this case, glasses of wine). After the test was complete, the occupants were completely unharmed, and the beverages were not spilled (Abrams, 2012).
Despite this $US 37,000 design seeming to be promising, there are some flaws. The first is, that the more violent earthquakes, and especially those which are violent from the very start will most likely be too strong for the airbag to handle. Also, if an earthquake provides enough force in a single direction, the structure could actually slide off the airbag. Despite these few setbacks however, the design still looks to be promising. As of 2012, some 88 real homes were fitted with the device, in anticipation for the next earthquake, which can provide as a means of testing (Abrams, 2012).
As for how Haiti is expected to cope in future, it seems highly unlikely at this stage that any technological advancement will be made, or at least at nowhere near the level of Japan’s. Most of Haiti’s coping strategies are expected to be the receiving of aid, as the country itself is not yet able to invest large amounts of money in technological enhancements. It is most likely that Haiti will be forced to rely heavily on aid from other countries as well as NGOs. Despite the efforts being made now in order to help with the disaster, it will most likely be insufficient if such an event of this magnitude were to occur again. The charities and NGOs tend to focus a large amount of their support on helping people recover, and despite this, it is still slow (Katz, 2014).
The donations given are by no means of a small figure, totalling $US1.7 billion, yet only 27% ($US450 million) actually gets spent. This raises the important question of where does the money go? One such theory comes from the idea that one huge donation to a certain charity renders it unable to use all the money effectively due to the time taken for the money to be processed. For example, donating to the Red Cross may be useful at the time of the donation, but once processed (which can be weeks later), it is no longer needed (Smith, 2012).
As much as the situation for Haiti in future does seem quite grim, according to Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, “We [Haiti] have a country that’s starting to believe we can get back on our feet. We’re starting to believe in ourselves that it can happen” (Katz, 2014). So perhaps this indicates the situation will improve.
(Both available at: https://www.asme.org/engineering-topics/articles/construction-and-building/made-in-japan-earthquake-proof-homes)
This design was actually tested on a machine which simulates minor earthquakes, and the structure above had occupants as well as beverages (in this case, glasses of wine). After the test was complete, the occupants were completely unharmed, and the beverages were not spilled (Abrams, 2012).
Despite this $US 37,000 design seeming to be promising, there are some flaws. The first is, that the more violent earthquakes, and especially those which are violent from the very start will most likely be too strong for the airbag to handle. Also, if an earthquake provides enough force in a single direction, the structure could actually slide off the airbag. Despite these few setbacks however, the design still looks to be promising. As of 2012, some 88 real homes were fitted with the device, in anticipation for the next earthquake, which can provide as a means of testing (Abrams, 2012).
As for how Haiti is expected to cope in future, it seems highly unlikely at this stage that any technological advancement will be made, or at least at nowhere near the level of Japan’s. Most of Haiti’s coping strategies are expected to be the receiving of aid, as the country itself is not yet able to invest large amounts of money in technological enhancements. It is most likely that Haiti will be forced to rely heavily on aid from other countries as well as NGOs. Despite the efforts being made now in order to help with the disaster, it will most likely be insufficient if such an event of this magnitude were to occur again. The charities and NGOs tend to focus a large amount of their support on helping people recover, and despite this, it is still slow (Katz, 2014).
The donations given are by no means of a small figure, totalling $US1.7 billion, yet only 27% ($US450 million) actually gets spent. This raises the important question of where does the money go? One such theory comes from the idea that one huge donation to a certain charity renders it unable to use all the money effectively due to the time taken for the money to be processed. For example, donating to the Red Cross may be useful at the time of the donation, but once processed (which can be weeks later), it is no longer needed (Smith, 2012).
As much as the situation for Haiti in future does seem quite grim, according to Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, “We [Haiti] have a country that’s starting to believe we can get back on our feet. We’re starting to believe in ourselves that it can happen” (Katz, 2014). So perhaps this indicates the situation will improve.